XVII Quotes – Day 1

Brazil’s coach Hugo Hoyama after Brazil beat Peru 3-0 in the women’s team qualification:

“Caroline lost the first game against Gabriela Soto but after she won the second, she was fine. We come here as favourites but it is very close, I’ve told the girls that it is one match at a time and always be one hundred per cent focused whoever you are playing.”

“Certainly the fact that we won in Tokyo has helped our confidence. It is important that we adopt the same approach here in Toronto.”

Ana Codina (ARG) about Argentina's historic qualification to Toronto 2015:

"It was very exciting to qualify after many years of Argentina's absence at the Pan American Games and was also gratifying, because we were working for this for a long time. Fortunately, we could make it. For my career, this is very special. It is the prologue of the Olympic Games, the dream of every athlete. If I can compete there, I will enjoy as much as I can."

About her goals in Toronto: "My main goal is to play at a good level. It is a very special competition, where everyone is in good shape. I will see what I can do match by match and I hope to play for a medal."

Andy Pereira (CUB) about his goals in Toronto: "We think we have a chance to win a medal in the team event. I will try to fight for a medal in singles. I know it's difficult but not impossible"

Felipe Olivares (CHI) about his goals in Toronto: "The level is very close in the team event. We have prepared well, so we want to reach the podium. In singles it is difficult too but if I have a good day and I could reach semifinals maybe. I trust in all the work I have been doing for a long time ago."

Canada after beating Guatemala 3-2 in the women’s team qualification:

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Zhang Mo - “I was so excited after the last match, the reaction from the crowd was incredible. Before the last match I felt confident; throughout I was able to win points with my service.”

Chen Chunya, the Canadian Women’s Team coach - “I must admit it was much closer than I expected. Losing the doubles changed the contest; however, overall it was a good experience, especially for our younger players.”

Puerto Rico after beating Mexico 3-2 in the women’s team qualification:

Melanie Diaz - “We connected well in the doubles, we had a very good understanding. We knew it was vital to win that match; we focused on being the first to attack.”

Adriana Diaz - “I’ve played Monica before and won, so I was confident before the match. Against Yadira I won the first game but then she played really well from the backhand; she kept changing direction and maybe I should have played stronger.”

Canadian coach Maxime Suprenant after Canada beat Guatemala 3-0 in the men’s team qualification:

“It’s perfect to have Eugene in the team; he gave us the perfect start by beating José Miguel Ramirez.”

“I’m very pleased with performance of Pierre-Luc today.He came back from losing the first game against Hector Gatica to win; he faced a difficult situation and came through.”

Hugo Calderano after Brazil beat Ecuador 3-0 in the men’s team qualification:

“Today I was much more focused than when I lost to Alberto in Havana. Now I know his style of play, so I was better prepared.”

“It’s difficult playing Alberto, he is strong from the backhand and he is mentally very good, he keeps you under pressure all time. It was important during the match that I kept changing my service and also my receive of service.”

Adriana Diaz after Puerto Rio beat Chile 3-2 to qualify for the women’s team quarter finals:

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“My dad (her coach) told me to be more positive after I lost the first two games against Natalia”

“Staying closer to the table I was able to create angles from my backhand; also just as in my first match I started to play with more spin. I won my first match and even when I was down two-nil I believed I could still win; also I started to move better.”

Brazil after beating Cuba 3-0 to progress to the women’s team quarter finals:

Ligia Silva on her singles match: "I knew that I couldn't miss the last points in each game. When it was tied 8-8, I knew I couldn't miss it. But we all are really focused and I didn't lose the concentration. It was a positive thing of Today's matches"

Caroline Kumahara on her doubles match:

"On the first and third games, I had some trouble on receiving. I was missing the third ball or comitting some errors. On the last game, I think I was more adapted to her, so I could do better"

USA after losing to Brazil in the men’s team qualification:

Kanak Jha: "I felt I played ok today. This match was just a warm up for our important match against Ecuador. We only had a small chance today, so our real goal was to get used to the hall, the lighting and the table to ensure we are in top form tomorrow, so we can qualify for the quarter finals.”

Jimmy Butler: “They were simply too good. They were the better team, and showed it today. We now must focus on tomorrow’s match and fight for that quarter finals position.”

Timothy Wang: “We were up 2-0 in the doubles and were playing well. They fought back well, as they are both fantastic players. They ere the better team and better players, so were able to win in the end. They were just too strong.”

Brazil after they beat USA to qualify for the men’s team quarter finals:

Thiago Monteiro: “It was important for us to realize that, if we don’t go 100% to a match, we might me surprised. Today, we found the solution to win this match, but in an eliminatory stage, we can give the opportunity our opponent

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needs to overcome a match. But we’ve already talked about it and I’m sure that we’ll put even more attitude on the table”

Gustavo Tsuboi: “We have a very good technical level, our team is really homogeneous. But this is a special event, which will be held again only in four years. So, all the teams give their best. There is no easy match”

Puerto Rico after beating Canada 3-2 in the men’s teams qualification round:

Brian Afanador: “I like the pressure, I lost the first game against Pierre-Luc but it was my first match of the tournament and I was cold; after the opening game I warmed up and my head was better. Against Marko I was expected to win but it was the fifth match so there was added pressure; I won and overall today I’m pleased with how I played.”

Daniel Gonzalez: “I was nervous before we started today, I lost to Eugene Wang but that loss gave me confidence. He doesn’t blast the ball like many Chinese, he’s safe and he let’s you play; I made too many unforced errors.”

“In the doubles, they served half long, we were able to attack their services. We were able to take the initiative and we were able to win the rallies.”

Cuba after beating Chile 3-2 in the men’s teams qualification round:

“It was vital I beat Gustavo in the last match to give ourselves a chance of qualifying for the main draw. I lost to Felipe because I didn’t receive service well; against Gustavo I received much better.”

“Yes in the doubles we led 10-5 in the fifth game; they came back to level at 10-all, before after saving two match points we eventually won. Even though they are both left handers, they are used to playing together, in the fifth game we just kept making mistakes; overall I think I played much better against Chile than earlier in the day against Paraguay.”

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